The Secret Power of the Pink Tutu

I gave my Mom this bright pink tutu on Christmas Eve.  All wrapped up in a big Christmas box with a fancy bow:

And included with that tutu, were registration tickets to the most aweseome-sauce 5k color run for that upcoming February.

We would walk that 5k together in just a few months:

So what has happened since Mom received that pink tutu Christmas gift?

Actually, it wasn't good.

Mom was concerned.

Really worried.

Her hip, knees, shoulders, and feet hurt.

Uh Oh. 

She was worried whether she would be able to walk a that entire 5k.

Mom then got serious.

She joined a gym and made friends with the treadmill.

She started walking on that treadmill.

She walked 5 times a week on that treadmill.

3 miles each morning.

At 5am. 

Before work.

I guess you could say that bright pink tutu lit a fire inside her.

She was determined to wear that pink tutu and walk an entire 5k.

As the months passed, something wonderful happened:

She noticed that her hip didn't hurt anymore.

Her feet, shoulders, and knees...the aches and pains were GONE.

Mom was ready for the 5k walk.

And this past Saturday, we walked that walk together.

Gettin' ready for the 5k.  No dye...yet.

Rockin' that tutu!

Color bomb!

At the FINISH LINE!

Flashback Friday & Weigh-in

Tomorrow my Mom and I will be doing something super duper fun together.

It will be exciting.

It will be a milestone.

And there just may or may not be glitter thrown in the air.

But one thing is for sure: WE WILL GLOW.

Stay tuned for a full detailed blog post of the BIG EVENT that will go down bright and early tomorrow morning.

In honor of tomorrow's mother-daughter bonding extravaganza, here's a Flashback Friday for you:

Mom and I.

Or is it Mom and me?

Let's not forget the all-important digits for today's weigh-in:

• Goal weight: 145 lbs
• Today's weight: 142.4 lbs

Still below my goal weight!

Will you be back here tomorrow for the big reveal?

What? More Sparklies?

Did I tell you that I now want a white polka dot pony named Sparkle Pancake? 

But wait.

That's a story for another day.

Instead, I will tell you all about what I did for my three year goaliversary.  

Finally, right?

My three year goaliversary (three years of maintaining my weight below 145 lbs) was back on December 17, 2013.

But sometimes it takes this girl awhile to get her act together and make a decision.

If you look up indecisive in the dictionary, you may see a photo of yours truly.

I don't like to use the word "indecisive"

I prefer the words "planner" and "methodical."

All.  In.  Good. Time.

Anywhoozle, as you know, I like to celebrate my weight maintenance milestones with jewelry.

Remember the ring story that I told you about for my one year goaliversary?

 

Well, back in December, the parental units gave me these sparklies!  Natural Zircons.

2.3 Ct each

These are NOT Cubic Zirconia.

Don't be fooled.

These beauties are made by Mother Nature.

This past week, I finally got around to making them into solitaire white gold earrings at the local jeweler.

And TA DA!  

 

I chose to wear them for my lunch-hour workout today. 

One must sparkle at every opportunity, whether covered in sweat or not.

This IS my not-so-happy sweaty workout face. 

You're welcome.

And just like the rule that I have for my ring: I must be 145 lbs or less to wear my new goaliversary earrings. 

Talk about ACCOUNTABILITY to my health goals.

There is no turning back now.

Weigh-In Day

Still below my goal weight (145 lbs)!

Can You Imagine That Day?

Standing on that scale and seeing my goal weight staring back at me on that scale was that moment.

Back on that cold December morning in 2010 was the day that I could finally say, "I did it!"

All of those struggles to get to my goal weight had finally turned into a reality.

A reality of something that I had only hoped for.

I had only dreamed of that moment.

And now it had finally come true.

Now that I have maintained my goal weight for over three years, I find that I often thank myself for finally losing those 115+ pounds and keeping those pounds off.

I thank myself silently when I happen to overhear a conversation among a few obese coworkers (who are my age) talking about their doctor putting them on Type 2 Diabetes medications.

That could have easily have been me getting Type 2 Diabetes. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic before I was banded.

I thank myself quietly when walking through the neighborhood Costco Store and happen to see an obese person riding around in an electric scooter.

That could have easily have been me in that scooter. Before I was banded, I was totally on the road to "Scooter Town."

I thank myself proudly when I put on that size 2 skirt and size small top.  I stand in front of the mirror.  They fit and I feel amazing.  I think to myself, "this is me now."

I thank myself when I get to the top of the stairs (third floor) of my apartment building carrying six heavy grocery bags and realize that I am not even winded or out of breath.  This is me now.

I thank myself for continuing to do the HARD WORK each and every day to ensure that my 115+ pound weight loss remains a reality in my life.

And I have a feeling...

...that I'll be thanking myself for the rest of my life.

Weigh-in Day

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

Today's Weight: 142.6 lbs

Is it just me or are these weigh-in blog posts getting really old?